Gonzo,
If you like I could put you in touch with our tech support staff. We updated our bbs's recently and did not lose any data. There was an issue of some kind (I don't know the details sorry) but the guys at VBulletin talked to our guys and the install was completed.
Here's a pic of them at work:
(Oops wait. One of the girls in this picture may not even exist here anymore. If only there was an expert who knew for sure...)